Former President Bill Clinton, 78, was discharged from the hospital on Christmas Eve after medical treatment for the flu, with doctors since confirming that he is on the mend.

Clinton was released from MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C., on Christmas Eve after receiving treatment for a diagnosed case of the flu, and he expressed gratitude for the care he received during his stay, as the Daily Mail reports.

Clinton was hospitalized on Monday after developing a fever, leading medical professionals to conduct several tests. A statement released by Angel Urena, Clinton's former deputy chief of staff, confirmed the discharge.

According to Urena, Clinton was deeply appreciative of the exceptional care provided by the medical team at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and thanked the public for the kind messages he received during his hospitalization.

Clinton Expresses Gratitude for Care

The statement further mentioned that Clinton was in "good spirits" throughout his stay, hopeful that he would be home in time for Christmas. Urena also conveyed that Clinton was eager to return to his family and resume his normal activities after a brief period of rest.

He also sent his "warmest wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season" to the public, emphasizing the positive outlook he maintained despite his brief medical setback.

The flu-related hospitalization comes at a time when Clinton's health has drawn more attention, particularly given his previous medical history. In 2021, the former president was hospitalized for a urological infection that had spread to his bloodstream, a serious condition that required treatment.

Furthermore, Clinton underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery in 2004, followed by another surgery in 2010 to open a blocked artery.

Clinton's Health Under Close Watch

Clinton’s health has been a point of focus in recent years, as his age has led to increased public scrutiny. Despite the concerns surrounding his health, his latest hospitalization was for a more common illness -- the flu -- and he is now recovering. His recent hospitalization occurred shortly after he had been in the public eye promoting his new memoir, Citizen, and campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris in her re-election bid.

The memoir, which addresses a wide range of political and personal issues, has drawn attention to some of the more controversial moments of Clinton's career. One notable topic in the book is his relationship with Monica Lewinsky, which led to Clinton’s impeachment by the House of Representatives in 1998. Clinton admitted in the memoir that he never directly apologized to Lewinsky and expressed frustration with the constant media focus on the topic, especially during an interview with NBC’s Today in 2018.

Clinton's Memoir Sparks Public Debate

In addition to addressing his past relationships and political challenges, Clinton has also discussed current events in his memoir. He mentioned a conversation he had earlier this month regarding the possibility of a pardon for his wife, Hillary Clinton, in the event that President-elect Donald Trump attempted to "lock her up." Clinton expressed his thoughts on the issue during a recent appearance on ABC’s The View, where he described the notion of targeting Hillary as a "fool's errand."

Clinton also stated that he would be open to discussing a potential pardon for Hillary with President Joe Biden, should the issue arise. "If President Biden wanted to talk to me about that, I will talk to him about it," Clinton said in the interview. However, he also stressed that the pardon power is a "very personal thing" and expressed his hope that Trump would not pursue any further legal action against his wife.

Pardon Power and Political Reflections

Despite the controversy surrounding his 2001 pardon of billionaire Marc Rich -- who had been a fugitive for tax fraud and illegal oil deals -- Clinton emphasized that he was not the best person to provide public advice on the matter of pardons. "I don’t think I should be giving public advice on the pardon power," Clinton said. He further explained that the issue was too sensitive to be dealt with casually, and he hoped that efforts to seek revenge or settle scores would be avoided.

In a broader sense, Clinton expressed his belief that "most of us get out of this world ahead of where we'd get if all we got was simple justice." This statement reflected his personal perspective on forgiveness and justice, emphasizing that the pursuit of vengeance rarely brings any benefit.

Clinton Criticizes Revenge Politics

While the focus of the day was Clinton's discharge from the hospital, his comments about politics, pardons, and revenge brought attention to ongoing debates in Washington. His remarks about the possibility of a pardon for his wife stirred controversy and highlighted ongoing political divisions within the country. The former president’s comments about Kash Patel, a former government official who has compiled a list of individuals he considers "deep state" enemies, further deepened the political discourse.

Despite these issues, Clinton's recovery from the flu marks a positive chapter in what has been a year filled with personal and political challenges. Clinton’s release from the hospital on Christmas Eve allowed him to return home in time to celebrate the holiday season with his family.

Clinton Returns Home for Holidays

For now, Clinton remains in good health and is focused on recovery, and he looks forward to continuing his public engagements in the near future.

With his holiday wishes and gratitude for the care he received, Clinton’s discharge from the hospital has allowed him to reflect on both his health and his political career as the new year approaches.